I’ve had a Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle for years with no issues. All you have to do is clean out the cap every once in awhile.

I prefer plastic Nalgene bottles because I feel like after my water sits for a while I always taste the metal. Higher quality metal bottles like Hydroflask don't have this problem as much, but if you put acidic fruit in there I think you could get some leeching. My biggest complaint about Nalgenes are that they can get a bit funky after a few days, but that's true of most reusable water bottles.

FWIW, there is a glass bottle with a plastic insulator on Kickstarter called TMB (the modular bottle) which I got last year. It's pretty good and I love glass since it doesn't impart any flavors and doesn't really get funky. For glass it's really durable, but I wouldn't toss it around like I do a Nalgene.

I use a Multi tea flask by ever vessel as you can use the top of the tea strainer to hold your fruit in and it has a nice drinking lip🍓 it's stainless steel though so you can't see inside

I have contigo stainless steel that are 10 years and they are still doing great. I have a few other brands but contigo is still my favorite

imo: hydroflask for steel, nalgene for plastic. had both since high school (8-10yrs)and rotate them regularly for my needs.

For a durable, free-flow lid water bottle that lets you see your water level, BPA-free plastic is a great choice, as it’s lightweight and allows you to visually track your water. Popular options like Nalgene or Contigo offer spill-proof bottles with wide mouths for easy filling and cleaning. If you're looking for something more eco-friendly, stainless steel bottles like those from Hydro Flask or S'well are great for keeping drinks cold or hot, though you may miss the visibility. For the best of both worlds, look for clear Tritan plastic bottles with stainless steel insulation.

For a reliable, leak-proof reusable water bottle, Hydro Flask (with the updated leak-proof Flex Cap) is a top choice—great insulation, durable, and easy to clean. Yeti Rambler with a Chug Cap is another solid pick, nearly indestructible with solid temp retention. If you prefer a straw lid, Owala’s FreeSip is leak-proof and has a clever one-handed design. For a budget-friendly option, Takeya’s insulated bottles (with a screw-on lid) perform well under $30. Avoid bottles with too many small parts (like some CamelBak lids) since they’re harder to clean. Stainless steel and wide-mouth designs (like Hydro Flask or Yeti) are easiest to maintain—just toss them in the dishwasher.

I just recently switched to a stainless steel blender bottle. I use it for water, electrolyte mix, and protein. Since it's metal, it doesn't hold the flavor of anything. My old plastic one used to taste like fruit no matter how many times I washed it.

I have two metal ones (a large and a small) for regular use, one plastic bottle that fits in my bike’s bottle cage, and three metal tumblers of various shapes/sizes. I feel like this is a good amount for me personally.

I like that you’re considering one that works for both daily use and for cycling. If I were in the market for one I’d definitely consider a good bottle that can do both.

Plastic water bottle reuse already diverts you away from most of the microplastics for ingestion through water- they diffuse out during water storage and you likely empty your bottles to clean them between use.

The Owala Free Sip can be sipped with its straw or turned and used more like a chug lid so that might be an option for replacing the bike riding option.

I'm a baseball parent so we perpetually have too many water bottles.

I recently did a purge, but it's still too much. I need to let go of my emotional support Nalgenes. I've been thinking of getting rid of all of them and getting one of the skinny Klean Kanteen ones because my work bag doesn't fit a larger bottle.

Similar to HydroFlask is Klean Kanteen, which is also a B-corp.

Idk how you feel about used bottles but a lot of second hand and thrift stores have a lot of nice bottles for cheap. I tend to go by that saying that the most sustainable product is the one that already exists.

But there’s always something to be said of getting the thing that will keep you motivated—so if a nice new water bottle will help you remember to carry it with you and use it then that’s worth the investment!

Just get something that keeps hots hot and colds cold and cleans easy. That’s all that matters.

I would 100 % suggest you go online and look into "PATHWATER", last November I bought 2 cases of these refillable metal bottles and I gave them to my loved ones and colleges for Xmas, among other gifts. I still c friends using them. side note: my niece (12 yrs.) didn't appreciate it, lol. u should have seen her face, priceless.

If you want sustainability over all (and cheap): consider using something that would otherwise become waste. Think: empty milkflask/karton, the glass bottles with lids that preserved veggies or come in, etc.

I have tried dozens of water bottles. The best I’ve found so far is the Contigo Fit.

My criteria:

• Holds at least 32oz
• can easily chug water (not just sip)
• Can get a drink easily using only one hand (like when driving or playing a game)
• insulated
• cleanable

This water bottle with the autospout lid fits all those needs. The spout has surprisingly good flow, and I can chug almost as fast as with an open top bottle, with much less risk of spillage. Since it auto closes, and opens with just a button, I can get a drink with just one hand. It’s insulated, and the cap is machine washable. Highly recommend.

Downside, easily dented.

I use hydroflask but they can be a bit expensive if you aren’t much for name brand it’s not all worth it

You can never go wrong with a nalgene

Hydroflask, nalgene for me, but it’s whatever you enjoy drinking water from in the end that’s important ❤️

All my homies use Klean Kanteen. They have insulated as well as non insulated bottles. Pretty legit, I’ve had one of both for a couple years now

My absolute favorite water bottle, and I've bought them all over the years

Hydroflask is also my favorite by a close margin.

So happy to hear this! As an avid hiker with dogs, I have a bunch of hydroflask with the wide mouth since the tops are interchangeable.

My only peeve is they aren’t dishwasher safe (cleaning tabs work well) & some of the tops are a pain to break apart & clean.

I agree. My specific series of zojirushi I used is : SF-CC20 XA. it has capacity of 2L, so my minimum daily water intake already taken care of and the opening of the bottle are large enough for my asian hand to insert, so very easy to clean. No need for separate glass because the lid can be usable as bowl/glass to drink.

I have a hydro flask that's like ten years old. Some years ago (precovid), I left it in the basket of a jump bike and assumed it lost. I even bought a replacement hydro flask that I still own. The lost water bottle had the sticker of my local yoga studio on it. Almost a year later, I was searching that yoga studio's lost and found for the mat I had left the week before, and lo and behold, my water bottle!! 

pretty much any stainless steel insulated bottle will be the same in terms of durability.

The more complex the cap, the more likely it is to fail/leak.

I would get a simple steel insulated bottle, and a aftermarket steel lid (with silicone ring) if you’re rlly worried about leakage.

I have an owala and a zojirushi. Both are durable and mostly metal, and have replaceable parts. They’re double wall insulated and both cover the drinking mechanism completely. Each also have a locking mechanism to prevent spillage while in a bag.

I will say that Owala comes in more colors if that’s your thing, but the zojirushi is much lighter to carry.

My daughter also did this as her science fair. We tested yeti, Stanley, a metal double walled camelbak, and a no name brand. All very close in size capacity. Yeti won for us.

If our Owala's fail, I'll have to try the hydro flask next time. At this time, I am still loving our Owala's.

I've had mine for 5-6 years. The cap broke 6 months ago because i dropped it but had NO issues until that point. I did notice on getting the new lid that the click on closing had died out a good amount, but it was still closing just fine and i never had any leakage issues.

If you go with this one, make sure to clean the bottle but specifically the rubber seal on the spout regularly. They can get gross very quickly and will stain.

I keep seeing that, thank you for the recommendation! I wasn't sure if it could be without the straw or not and if the silicone was hard to remove! Do you have the freesip or freeswip sway? (Trying to learn which one is which since I noticed they have different ones)

Klean kanteen is great

Hydro Flask or Yeti Rambler both stay cold forever, no straw hassle, and super easy to clean.

Yeti makes some great bottles in that size and larger

Obsessed with my Owala. It's the best water bottle I've ever owned. 

Popular mechanics magazine did a test on water bottles not too long ago and most bottles that are vacuum insulated work the same way and offer insulation of hot/cold for many hours. It’s more or less personal preference of lids and shape/size that could be deciding factor. One thing I will mention is my yeti gets tossed in the dishwasher daily for the last four years and still looks great. Hydro flasks are not approved for dishwasher fwiw, I tried and the outside got stained and chalky. Hydro flask has great customer service when my screw top lids leaked they sent me three to replace my old ones.

I've managed to collect quite a few brands over the years. If you're looking for a top-notch water bottle, both the Owala FreeSip and the Hydro Flask come highly recommended by pretty much everyone, each for their unique features and durability.

The Owala FreeSip stands out for its innovative drinking mechanism. It offers a built-in straw for easy sipping, ideal for staying hydrated on the go without having to tilt the bottle. This feature is particularly convenient during activities like driving or working out. Additionally, you can open it up for a full-flow drink, giving you two options in one design. The insulation quality of the FreeSip is excellent, ensuring your drinks stay chilled for hours. It’s also leak-proof and comes in various sizes and attractive color options, making it as stylish as it is functional.

In contrast, the Hydro Flask is renowned for its robust build and exceptional temperature retention. Made with pro-grade stainless steel, it’s designed to withstand rough handling and still last for years. Its insulation capabilities are outstanding, keeping beverages cold or hot for extended periods. The wide-mouth design of the Hydro Flask is another plus, making it easy to fill, drink from, and clean. It’s perfect for those who prefer a more traditional, no-fuss design but still want the assurance of a high-quality, long-lasting bottle.

I really like the yeti, it's works well both for my gym session that keeps my electrolytes water super cold for hours and also later when i am at home and siping slowly on a hot coffee or tea, it's just good at keeping temp
it' also sturdy as well which I hope means it will last me for years. one downside though is that it's a bit on the heavy side but i guess that's the material they use to keep the temp so can't have it all

edit: the yeti i got is the number 1 here: https://costnow.com/best-insulated-water-bottle/

Zoj with this version. Zojirushi SM-SA36-BA Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug, 20-Ounce, Black by Tokyo Japanese Outlet Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HYOGUM2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_81V0A8TCVTH9KG7FP30X

The newer with a different top don’t flip up right. I’ve had mine for years.

Warning! Do not put hot beverages in this with the assumption it will cool. It will not. It takes like 10 hours. Put it in like you want to drink it.

Middle pops out for cleaning. Lid clicks back so it doesn’t hit your nose. I’ve and water will still have ice 12 hours later. Tried other brands but I’m spoiled now.

Zoj mugs don’t go up to 30 ounces.

Edit they have 35 ounce vacuum bottle and a different thermos looking one.

Kind of depends on what your looking for. I personally have both a Hydroflash and a Ringo. So kind of depends on what you wanna spend.

I love my Ringo a little more just because I work out so I can put my phone on my water bottle magnetically and watch a show or something quite nice tbh.